Musicatlas
Music
Music for Wind Band, Orchesta, Choirs and more.
Life
Ray Sciberras, born in Cospicua - Malta on December 27. 1962. He was attracted to music by his hometown’s band when he was still a child. He studied Theory, Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, Orchestration and History with Dr. Charles Zammit and Carmelo Pace. Later, he followed an intensive course in Composition with Mro Pawlu Grech.
His academic qualifications consist in the Associateship, Licentiateship and Fellowship in composition of the London College of Music. His compositions in the traditional and modem idioms are set for different media such as wind band serious music, orchestral, chamber and vocal. His repertoire also includes. "Invitation and Dance’ for Clarinet and Piano, awarded first prize in the Performing Rights Society, London and the Society of Arts Manufacture and Commerce contest in 1992. "Unity" (choir a cappella),.‘Messa Tota Pulchra", "Tantum Ergo in Re", "Eulogv". ‘Puerkinesis", "Christus", "Tislima lil San Gejtanu" (cantata), "Maria Mater Gratiae (cantata), "lnnu lil San Filep", "Ghanjiet lil Maria Bambina (cantata), "Is-Sejha", "Marija" and "Tu es Petrus" are among his best vocal works.
In the field of Chamber Music, Ray Sciberras expresses himself in a more modern style. He employs most of the well-established and renowned 20th century compositional techniques to achieve a subjective mode. In particular, his "two-part Inversions" and "Bagatelles" for Piano, the "Fantasia for Piano and Violin", and the "String Quartet" witness this inclination.
However, due to his connection and intensive commitment among local band clubs, he enthusiastically devotes much of his time composing for the wind band. His list of works in this medium comprises. "Dance of the Goblins", "Poets of Hatred", "Honoris Humanis", "L-Gholja tal-Gonna", "Atticism", ‘Lament", "Allegiance Suite", "Ghanja ta’ Sebh" "II-Belt Cospicua", "Millennium Salute". "Ghanjietna", "Yorkshire Fantasy". "A Trumpet Ballad", "Propera Avgesco" and "Spectrum".
A collection of his music for wind band has been recorded in England by "Doyen Recordings Limited" with the professional participation of the "Yorkshire Wind Orchestra". During this project, which took place in Morley Town Hall, the Yorkshire Wind was under the baton of the well renowned conductor of the "British Concert Orchestra" Frank Renton. The title chosen for this compact disc is "Millennium Salute" which is produced to satisfy both local and foreign market. Besides his repertoire of Festive Marches, Funeral Marches and Religious Hymns exceed 100 compositions. His prolific and versatile language is highly appreciated and followed by many music lovers. He teaches music at De La Salle College and shares much of his time teaching, rehearsing and conducting four local bands: The Beland Band of Zejtun, Maria Mater Gratiae of Zabbar. St. Gaetan of Hamrun and St G’eorges of Cospicua.